Cuisine of Sao Miguel Island for gourmets. Places for dinner - best restaurants

The modern cuisine of Sao Miguel consists of typical Portuguese dishes, as well as island own unique inventions. Local cooks have not only changed the recipes brought by the colonists but also invented their own. Of course, you can taste American, European and Japanese cuisine nowadays, but if you decide to ignore the efforts of local chefs, you will miss a significant part of the culture of Sao Miguel. Going to the restaurant, remember that local catering establishments are closed around 9-10 PM. The inhabitants of the island prefer to have an early dinner. But you can find tourist-oriented cafes with higher prices.

Remember that it is customary to leave tips on Sao Miguel, but they are not included in the bill, so it is customary to leave a tip of about 10-15% of the bill. Perhaps one of the most incredible and unique local dishes is Cozido das Furnas with pork, chicken, cabbage and carrots. The composition of the dish is quite traditional, but the method of its preparation is quite interesting. Cozido das Furnas is cooked in large pots, which are lowered on ropes into the volcanic soil, where they are stewed until the dish is completely done. If you prefer, you can admire the process of the preparation of the dish. Note that the dish is cooked for a very long time, and therefore you can try it only in the afternoon.

You will surely see bolo lêvedo on the menu of every restaurant. These are local cakes, which are usually served instead of bread. However, they are often eaten as a separate dish with butter, jam or honey. You can taste the excellent roast meat with rice and vegetables on the island, which is served in traditional wooden plates. There are generally a lot of meat dishes, despite the fact that the island territories are usually dominated by seafood. Local chefs cook steaks, stewed pork, black pork sausage, baked beef with cheese and Piri Piri chicken. Stewed peppers are popular among islanders. They are usually served with a large number of fillings- meat, vegetables and fish. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Locals often eat first courses. It is worth trying the sour vegetable soup, vegetable broth with fish and meat, and classic fish soup. Light soups on chicken broth are also popular here. Be sure to try the chickpeas salad with tuna. Tuna is not only added to salads but also cooked separately, fried or baked. By the way, do not be surprised that the meat of this fish has a red colour. In general, there are many fish dishes on the island. Baked cod, squid with bacon, pickled mullet, fried eel, octopus in wine or with vegetables – that's just a part of what you should try on Sao Miguel. Be sure to try patella, which you can find only on the archipelago. fish-parrot, chub, mackerel, and shrimp are also delicious.

Locals can be easily called sweet-teeth. There are many delicious desserts on the island. Desserts can be light and high-calorie. You can try a variety of puddings (especially delicious are made with banana and pineapple), strawberry mousse, ice cream with orange peel and orange roll. If you are keeping a diet, there are many delicious fruits that can be found in every restaurant. If you do not count calories be sure to try delicious cakes made of flaky pastry with custard, chocolate and cinnamon or local doughnuts which are cooked with various fillings.

If you want to refresh yourself, be sure to try fresh-squeezed juices made of orange or mango. It can be a surprise for you, but tea from local plantations is a nice refreshing drink. You should definitely try it even if you don’t like this drink. Local coffee is also delicious. Be sure to taste green wine which is usually served chilled. Local wine which is produced here for centuries, beer and liqueurs deserve your attention. Pineapple liqueur, for example, has a peculiar taste and it is not produced outside the archipelago. Cocktails with exotic fruit and local vodka are delicious hard drinks.